Brownie Question
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 294
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From: Northern New Mexico
Brownie Question
Can any one verify if a Brownie type auxillary tranny equiped 1.5 and 2 ton trucks in the early 1950s? A neighbor has one for sale out of a 1953 truck. It is not a Spicer but something like "Watson" or "watley" some name with a "W". I did not recognize the maker but companies other than Spicer probably built aux trannys, right?
Why? I have a 1964 F-500 flatbed dump that needs more gearing. It is a work truck that has been resprung to 25,000 lbs gross. The Rockwell axles and diff can handle it. This truck is on rural roads at low speeds (= or < 55 MPH). SO, I would like to add a Brownie and this one is available. They do not pop up very often.
I don't know if this guy is right or what. Thanks in advance for any help.
BTW, my first vechicle at age 15 was a 1948 F1, red, 3 on the floor, Merc flathead V-8. It died a sorrowful death but while alive it was something wonderful to me. SO, someday another flathead...
Why? I have a 1964 F-500 flatbed dump that needs more gearing. It is a work truck that has been resprung to 25,000 lbs gross. The Rockwell axles and diff can handle it. This truck is on rural roads at low speeds (= or < 55 MPH). SO, I would like to add a Brownie and this one is available. They do not pop up very often.
I don't know if this guy is right or what. Thanks in advance for any help.
BTW, my first vechicle at age 15 was a 1948 F1, red, 3 on the floor, Merc flathead V-8. It died a sorrowful death but while alive it was something wonderful to me. SO, someday another flathead...
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Joined: Mar 2008
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flame out, i know they made/had brown-lipe aux trans, 2,3,4 sticks that would work. don't know bolt pattern specs. am familiar with warner (borg-warner), but not other names. even though springs are beefed up, 25000 is on the heavy side for 500, be careful frame doesn,t bend or snap behind cab!!! usually had frame plates added to beef up frame. good luck.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Northern New Mexico
Thanks. I will search for Watson.
21,856 is the most this truck has weighed in at. The 25K number is curb weight plus theortetical capacity of the spring package. It does seem heavy. The truck with hydraulics, the Dayton flatbed, fuels, tool box, my lunch weighs in at around 10,000. Adding some reinforcement in key spots is a good idea since this truck is to remain on the job for a time.
21,856 is the most this truck has weighed in at. The 25K number is curb weight plus theortetical capacity of the spring package. It does seem heavy. The truck with hydraulics, the Dayton flatbed, fuels, tool box, my lunch weighs in at around 10,000. Adding some reinforcement in key spots is a good idea since this truck is to remain on the job for a time.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Harpswell Maine
I reread the first post. I was thinking that more highway speed not less was what was wanted. My question remains. Does anyone know how late were warford (overdrives) available? I had a friend with a warford in a 31 Model AA long wheelbase truck. It would boogie on the highway. (some engine mods also).
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From: Connecticut
I just picked up a Watson "brownie box" on ebay...$400.00 This will give my Flattie F-5 with a T-98 syncroed 4-sp, and Eaton 2-sp rear a overdrive gear. The brownie does not bolt directly to the tranny, you remove the carrier bering and modify the two shafts so the brownie fits where the carrier was.
